by Susan Williams, President/CEO

Board service comes with many responsibilities, but they need not be burdensome. When all board members and staff recognize their roles, these responsibilities provide clear direction and protect everyone involved.

1. Determine and advance the organization’s mission and purposes. Has it been provided and is it clear?

2. Select the chief paid executive, as well as CPA and attorney. The executive is then responsible for hiring of staff.

3. Support the chief executive and assess performance periodically — usually measured against the strategic plan. The executive reviews staff.

4. Ensure effective organizational planning and oversight of strategic plan.

5. Ensure adequate resources (funds, time, volunteers, staff, technology, etc.) are available to the executive and staff.

6. Provide resource and financial oversight, through thorough review of reports. Request additional information when you have questions.

7. Determine, monitor, and enhance programs and services within the organization’s plan of work.

8. Support and promote the organization’s image.

9. Ensure legal and ethical integrity and maintain accountability in all activities.

10. Recruit and orient new board members and assess board performance.

At a minimum, all board members should be reminded of these responsibilities annually.

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s August 2023 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.